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Thomas
George Hoar
By Elva
Hoar Brown
One
of
Killarney’s first business men, Thomas George Hoar, was born in
Orillia, Ontario, in 1864, of English parentage.
He came
west in 1892 and chose Killarney, because of its beautiful lake, to
open its first barber shop. The following year he had completed
the building known as The Hoar Block, situated in the center of the
east side of Main Street. At that time the only other building on
that side of the street was a hotel, since destroyed by fire. The
main floor of the block was a barber shop and billiard hall, in which
Mr. Hoar was a barber some forty years. The upper floor was used
for law offices.
In
1894
he built the brick house on the north side of the Town Hall. To
this house, in 1896, he took his bride, formerly Clara Robbins, born in
London, Ontario, in 1875, of English origin. Witnesses to their
marriage were the late Mr. & Mrs. G. Cowan.
Mr.
Hoar saw the town of Killarney built to almost its present
status. Including The Hoar Block, he built six homes and two
office buildings. Some of his holdings are now land marks – the
site of the present curling building; the property opposite the General
Hospital, now No. 3 Highway, once a toboggan slide, and the present
dental office.
He
also
owned two farms, one in the Enterprise district which he cultivated for
two years and one in the Bannerman district on which his son-in-law and
eldest daughter lived for eight years.
As
a
hobby he kept a race horse and sulky, some fowl such as Rhode Island
Reds, White Leghorns, and Cabin fowl with fluffy plumage and feathered
shanks. He also had some fighting cocks. The poultry was
shown at the Brandon Fairs and won many ribbons.
His
first car was a 1914 Hupmobile (touring). The second was a 1918
490-Chevrolet and was the first sedan in Killarney. Previous
travels were made by horse and buggy or sleigh in winter.
Three
children William (Bill), Ester and Elva were all born in Killarney and
educated there. Bill married Mabel Smale and is now living in
Vancouver. Ester married Esbia Voodre, and Elva married Eric
Brown. Their parents were all early settlers in the Dunrea,
Boissevain and Deloraine districts respectively. Ester is now
residing in Carman, and Elva in Winnipeg.
Mr.
Hoar was an active member of the Orange Lodge for many years. The
family all attended the United Church. Mr. Hoar passed away in
1946, and Mrs. Hoar in 1954. They now rest in the family plot in
the Killarney Cemetery.
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